On This Day in Tech History

Stories Published September 19 Throughout History

Historic Tech Events

First Smiley Emoticon Created by Fahlman

First Smiley Emoticon Created by Fahlman
1982

On September 19, 1982, computer scientist Scott Fahlman typed :-) in an online message to his colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University, thus creating the first known instance of a smiley emoticon. Fahlman proposed the use of emoticons as a way of indicating humor or sarcasm in text-based online communication, which could otherwise be easily misunderstood. The idea quickly caught on and the use of emoticons, and later emojis, has since become ubiquitous in online communication across various platforms and devices. Fahlman's innovation has not only helped to improve the clarity of online communication, but has also become a cultural phenomenon in its own right.

US-led Invasion Restores Democracy to Haiti

US-led Invasion Restores Democracy to Haiti
1994

In 1994, the United States led a multinational invasion of Haiti with the aim of restoring democracy to the island nation. The invasion was prompted by the overthrow of democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in a military coup three years earlier. The U.S.-led intervention, known as Operation Uphold Democracy, involved over 20,000 troops and succeeded in restoring Aristide to power. While the invasion was generally seen as a success, it also highlighted the complexities and challenges of interventionism, particularly in relation to questions of sovereignty and the role of outside powers in the internal affairs of other nations.

New Zealand Grants Women's Suffrage

New Zealand Grants Women's Suffrage
1893

New Zealand's decision to grant women the right to vote in 1893 was a groundbreaking moment in the history of women's suffrage and a significant step towards gender equality. The campaign for women's suffrage in New Zealand was led by the Women's Christian Temperance Union and other women's groups, who argued that women deserved the same political rights as men. Despite opposition from some quarters, the bill was passed by the New Zealand parliament and signed into law by the governor in September 1893. This paved the way for women's suffrage movements around the world, and New Zealand remains a global leader in women's rights and gender equality to this day.

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